Passed my KY CNA state test!!

[kdj0013]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post! I've been a lurker for a while now and finally decided to come out of hiding since I finally feel I have something worthwhile to post. I got the results of my CNA state test in the mail yesterday and I passed! I'm so relieved and it's a huge weight off my shoulders.

I figured I'd share my test taking experience, in case anyone is curious about what to expect. I took my test in Paducah, Kentucky.

I took my test with only 4 other people. I wore the scrubs that I wore for my clinicals, even though we weren't instructed to do so - I felt it was a good judgement call. None of the other test takers wore scrubs, just street clothes, so I felt somewhat out of place. But, it helped me "feel" the part, so I felt I performed better because I was wearing them, lol.

First was the written test. It consisted of 75 questions, many of which were common sense. The rest were easy to answer if you paid attention in class and studied the basics from the textbook. I felt very confident at the end of the written part.

The instructor called us out one by one at various points during the written portion to go to a different room to perform the skills portion. I was the last one called, so I had already finished the written test when my turn rolled around.

The skills portion made me nervous. Not to the point that I was about to have a mental break down, but enough that it shook my confidence a bit. The instructor was very friendly, yet stern and to-the-point. You can tell she's been doing this for probably around 100 years, yet she did a good job of making me feel as comfortable as possible (in that situation) and she wasn't intimidating.

There were 5 skills total, 3 of which everyone has to do:

-Handwashing

-Vital signs (BP/Pulse/Respirations)

-Height and weight

and then my 2 random skills were

-Nail care

-ROM exercises on the hip

I clearly messed up one time that I know of when recording height. I was rushing and read it as 6' and the instructor cut me a break. She said "no, try again" and upon looking again it was actually at 5'6". I was definitely thankful for that!

The main things to remember for the skills is to STUDY AND PRACTICE THEM, first of all. Make a special note of the critical steps! The other non-critical steps don't have to be followed to the T, but you DO have to show that you know what you're doing.

Pay special attention to BED RAILS, BED HEIGHT, and PLACING THE CALL LIGHT!!

It helped me to remember it this way: always make sure the bed rails are up before moving the bed up OR down, make sure they're up before you leave the bedside, and make sure they are DOWN when the bed is in its LOWEST position and you are finished with the skill. Make sure they have the call light in place before saying you're finished with the skill!

Oh, I almost forgot. Blood pressure and pulse are taken on a fake, mechanical arm. Respirations are taken on the instructor herself. She listens and times everything along with you so make sure you are comfortable taking all these readings because you are only allowed to be off by 2-4 counts. Any more than that and you fail!

Thanks for reading! I recently got accepted into the ADN program for the Fall, so that's up next for me. :) Cheers!

[dstRN]

Congratulations and Best Wishes for your future!

[Proton]

Thanks for sharing! I'm still waiting for my test date!

Congratulations on passing and getting into the ADN program! Good luck with your next step!

[KyFNP13]

Congratulations and good luck on your future endeavors.

[Rodrinka]

Congrats!! You are on your way!

[kdj0013]

Thank you all very much! :)

[djstormin]

Congratulations!!! I take my CNA test in NC on May 29th and I am definitely nervous. My test will be different from yours because of the State but I definitely appreciate hearing about your experience. Thanks again!!!

[kdj0013]

You're welcome djstormin, I wish you the BEST of luck!! You can do it. :)